Democrats ahead, but sound desperate

As the 2008 election entered its final 96 hours, a few right-thinking media outlets – Fox News and the Drudge Report, for example – manipulated polls, predictions and anecdotes to keep up hopes of a John McCain victory on Tuesday.

Surprisingly, Democratic fund raising appeals also took on an ominous, horror-movie aspect.

“

This Halloween, what scares me is that Republicans may have plans to steal this election,” Democratic State Chairman Dwight Pelz said in a broadside to donors.

No evidence, just the statement: “We all remember 2000, 2004 and even 2005, when Republicans used their dirty tricks to disenfranchise voters. Once again, we’re seeing long lines in Florida, as early voters wait up to five hours to cast their ballots.”

Everywhere else, Democrats have celebrated the heavy advance voting turnout of young people, minorities and registered Democrats. Courts have turned back clumsy Republican challenges in Montana and Ohio.

Still, Pelz asked donors to fork up another $100, $50, or $25 to keep field staff on duty after Election Day “and make sure your vote counts.”

Gov. Chris Gregoire was also extending an open palm through the computer.

“Your support — before midnight tonight — will determine how many voters we reach in the final days of this race,” the governor told supporters.

She warned that “our Republican opponent” is “stepping up his false attacks against my record” — as if Dino Rossi, the Republican Governors Association and the Building Industry of Washington have any stepping up to do.

After shattering spending records, Barack Obama’s campaign manager David Plouffe was still hitting up supporters for “$250 or more” to expand efforts “in these new battleground states.”

Specifically, Plouffe demanded dough to buy media in Georgia, North Dakota and John McCain’s home state of Arizona.

“Our records show that you’ve already given the maximum contribution to the Obama campaign — but did you know you can still donate through the Obama Victory Fund?” Plouffe asked.

He still managed to sound – very slightly – ominous.

“We can’t take anything for granted, and this election is too important to ignore any potential path to victory,” wrote Plouffe. “We need your help right now.”